Step back in time at England’s Medieval Festival — a spectacular three-day celebration of history, heritage, and high adventure held during the August bank holiday at The King's Grove, Pippingford Park in Sussex. Experience the thrill of jousting tournaments, falconry displays, knightly battles, and immersive re-enactments. With medieval camping, live folk music, banquets, crafts, workshops, theatre, and traditional food and drink, this family-friendly festival brings the Middle Ages roaring back to life. A beloved tradition since 1993, the event draws thousands each year to relive the magic of medieval England.

History roars to life at UK's Medieval festival in Sussex 

An unexpected discovery of a medieval astronomical instrument turned out to be an age-old record of cross-cultural scientific collaboration.&nbsp;

The brass astrolabe originates from 11th-century Spain and has undergone various alterations and additions in multiple languages throughout the centuries, reflecting the diverse ownership and adaptations made to suit individual needs and preferences.

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Hence, this object transcends mere rarity; it is nearly unparalleled. It serves as a palimpsest, documenting the evolving ideas and requirements of its users in response to shifting global dynamics and contexts.

"This isn't just an incredibly rare object. It's a powerful record of scientific exchange between Arabs, Jews, and Christians over hundreds of years," says historian Federica Gigante of the University of Cambridge, who rediscovered the astrolabe and its inscriptions in an Italian museum in Verona.

<h2>Age-old astrolabe, a testament to cross-cultural scientific collaboration</h2>

Astrolabes are instruments designed to map the celestial realm and boast a rich history spanning centuries. They first emerged in Ancient Greece, but only through development in the Islamic world did they reach their full versatility.

The Verona astrolabe was discovered in the collection of Fondazione Museo Miniscalchi-Erizzo in Verona in the 17th century. The newly uploaded photo of the astrolabe on the museum’s website was first noticed by Gigante, who specialises in artefacts from the Islamic world.&nbsp;
<img alt="Astrolabe" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8833c43e-9803-4605-a665-cc6d9903c0b7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/verona-astrolabe-body.jpg" />
"When I visited the museum and studied the astrolabe up close, I noticed that not only was it covered in beautifully engraved Arabic inscriptions but that I could see faint inscriptions in Hebrew. I could only make them out in the raking light entering from a window,” said Gigante.&nbsp;

After scrutinising the astrolabe, Gigante concludes that it was made in Al-Andalus in Islamic Spain in the 11th century.&nbsp;

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The engravings on the object are a testament to rich cultural history. Some of the Arabic inscriptions are Muslim prayer lines and prayer names. Since astrolabes could be used for timekeeping, this suggests that at least one owner used the artefact for prayer.

Another Arabic inscription reads "for Isḥāq" and "the work of Yūnus". Gigante believes this inscription was added sometime after the astrolabe was made. It's not possible to tell who Isḥāq and Yūnus might be, or whether Yūnus was the one who made the astrolabe, but the two names in English are Isaac and Jonas.

In medieval Spain, there was a sizable Sephardic Jewish community who spoke Arabic. This inscription could mean that the astrolabe spent some time there as well.

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The Hebrew inscriptions include translations for astrological constellations, Gigante says.

"These Hebrew additions and translations suggest that at a certain point, the object left Spain or North Africa and circulated amongst the Jewish diaspora community in Italy, where Arabic was not understood, and Hebrew was used instead,” she explains.

Eventually, an individual, possibly a Latin or Italian speaker, inscribed latitude corrections in Western Arabic numerals (the numerals that we use today) on both sides of the astrolabe.&nbsp;

Across the centuries, numerous artefacts have arrived at our doorstep carrying untold tales. The Verona astrolabe is no exception; however, its inscriptions and engravings provide a rare glimpse into its historical journey.&nbsp;

"This object is Islamic, Jewish, and European, they can't be separated," Gigante says.

(With inputs from agencies)

An unexpected discovery of a medieval astronomical instrument turned out to be an age-old record of cross-cultural scientific collaboration. The brass astrolabe originates from 11th-century Spain and has undergone various alterations and additions in multiple languages throughout the centuries, reflecting the diverse ownership and adaptations made to suit individual needs and preferences.

An unexpected discovery of a medieval astronomical instrument turned out to be an age-old record of cross-cultural scientific collaboration. The brass astrolabe originates from 11th-century Spain and has undergone various alterations and additions in multiple languages throughout the centuries, reflecting the diverse ownership and adaptations made to suit individual needs and preferences. Also Read | Scientists reveal mystery around Earth's largest star sand dunes. Here's what they found Hence, this object transcends mere rarity; it is nearly unparalleled. It serves as a palimpsest, documenting the evolving ideas and requirements of its users in response to shifting global dynamics and contexts. "This isn't just an incredibly rare object. It's a powerful record of scientific exchange between Arabs, Jews, and Christians over hundreds of years," says historian Federica Gigante of the University of Cambridge, who rediscovered the astrolabe and its inscriptions in an Italian museum in Verona. Age-old astrolabe, a testament to cross-cultural scientific collaboration Astrolabes are instruments designed to map the celestial realm and boast a rich history spanning centuries. They first emerged in Ancient Greece, but only through development in the Islamic world did they reach their full versatility. The Verona astrolabe was discovered in the collection of Fondazione Museo Miniscalchi-Erizzo in Verona in the 17th century. The newly uploaded photo of the astrolabe on the museum’s website was first noticed by Gigante, who specialises in artefacts from the Islamic world. "When I visited the museum and studied the astrolabe up close, I noticed that not only was it covered in beautifully engraved Arabic inscriptions but that I could see faint inscriptions in Hebrew. I could only make them out in the raking light entering from a window,” said Gigante. After scrutinising the astrolabe, Gigante concludes that it was made in Al-Andalus in Islamic Spain in the 11th century. Also Read | Four astronauts begin 6-month mission aboard ISS as SpaceX Dragon 'Endeavour' docks successfully The engravings on the object are a testament to rich cultural history. Some of the Arabic inscriptions are Muslim prayer lines and prayer names. Since astrolabes could be used for timekeeping, this suggests that at least one owner used the artefact for prayer. Another Arabic inscription reads "for Isḥāq" and "the work of Yūnus". Gigante believes this inscription was added sometime after the astrolabe was made. It's not possible to tell who Isḥāq and Yūnus might be, or whether Yūnus was the one who made the astrolabe, but the two names in English are Isaac and Jonas. In medieval Spain, there was a sizable Sephardic Jewish community who spoke Arabic. This inscription could mean that the astrolabe spent some time there as well. Also Read | James Webb telescope: The very first stars of our universe have just been found, along with massive black hole The Hebrew inscriptions include translations for astrological constellations, Gigante says. "These Hebrew additions and translations suggest that at a certain point, the object left Spain or North Africa and circulated amongst the Jewish diaspora community in Italy, where Arabic was not understood, and Hebrew was used instead,” she explains. Eventually, an individual, possibly a Latin or Italian speaker, inscribed latitude corrections in Western Arabic numerals (the numerals that we use today) on both sides of the astrolabe. Across the centuries, numerous artefacts have arrived at our doorstep carrying untold tales. The Verona astrolabe is no exception; however, its inscriptions and engravings provide a rare glimpse into its historical journey. "This object is Islamic, Jewish, and European, they can't be separated," Gigante says. (With inputs from agencies)

This instrument shows Arabs, Jews, Christians shared notes across generations

The square which surrounds the medieval “leaning tower” in the Italian city of Bologna will remain closed for“a few years” as concerns regarding too much tilting of the 12th-century structure increased. 
 
The city’s mayor Matteo Lepore said it was necessary to close Piazza di Porta Ravegnana so as to “save” the Garisenda tower. “We’re not intervening because we think it could collapse at any moment, we’re intervening because we want to make it safe and restore it,” he added, as reported by The Guardian.

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The future of the 48-metre-high Garisenda, which stands alongside the twice-as-high Asinelli tower, has remained a topic of huge discussion in the Emilia-Romagna city after the University of Bologna's scientists detected an anomalous increase in the oscillation of the tower. 
 
The Garisenda is slanted at 4 degrees which is a little more than Italy's famous Leaning Tower of Pisa which is at 3.9 degrees. It is believed that the tower is slanting because of ground subsidence during the 14th century. 
 
The officials are monitoring the tower for cracks and sensors were installed so that the shift can be tracked. 
 
Its foundations will be shored up with new materials to make the structure more secure. The Asinelli Tower, which visitors are allowed to climb, has also been closed.

<h2>Mayor gives reassurance as people fear the collapse of tower</h2>

Bologna council is establishing a special committee to oversee the Garisenda’s restoration. “I will seek the best possible professionalism, nationally and internationally … we will look for anyone who can help us,” Lepore said. 
 
However, even though the mayor had a reassuring tone, the residents of Bologna feared that the tower could collapse someday.

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“I am afraid to think about losing something that is part of the city’s soul,” said Carlo Lucarelli, an author and screenwriter, while speaking to Corriere della Sera. “I’ve always taken the two towers for granted, but with affection, in the same way you might take the presence of a brother for granted,” Lucarelli added. 
 
Meanwhile, actor and film director Giorgio Diritti said, “I’m worried from many perspectives, especially the fact that this news has come as a surprise. But how can it be a surprise if the tower has been monitored for years?” 
 
Diritti said that, if the tower really collapsed someday, he would be ready to go there “to hold the tower up”.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The square which surrounds the medieval “leaning tower” in the Italian city of Bologna will remain closed for“a few years” as concerns regarding too much tilting of the 12th-century structure increased.

The square which surrounds the medieval “leaning tower” in the Italian city of Bologna will remain closed for“a few years” as concerns regarding too much tilting of the 12th-century structure increased. The city’s mayor Matteo Lepore said it was necessary to close Piazza di Porta Ravegnana so as to “save” the Garisenda tower. “We’re not intervening because we think it could collapse at any moment, we’re intervening because we want to make it safe and restore it,” he added, as reported by The Guardian. ALSO READ | Italy: At least 21 dead after bus falls from bridge in Venice The future of the 48-metre-high Garisenda, which stands alongside the twice-as-high Asinelli tower, has remained a topic of huge discussion in the Emilia-Romagna city after the University of Bologna's scientists detected an anomalous increase in the oscillation of the tower. The Garisenda is slanted at 4 degrees which is a little more than Italy's famous Leaning Tower of Pisa which is at 3.9 degrees. It is believed that the tower is slanting because of ground subsidence during the 14th century. The officials are monitoring the tower for cracks and sensors were installed so that the shift can be tracked. Its foundations will be shored up with new materials to make the structure more secure. The Asinelli Tower, which visitors are allowed to climb, has also been closed. Mayor gives reassurance as people fear the collapse of tower Bologna council is establishing a special committee to oversee the Garisenda’s restoration. “I will seek the best possible professionalism, nationally and internationally … we will look for anyone who can help us,” Lepore said. However, even though the mayor had a reassuring tone, the residents of Bologna feared that the tower could collapse someday. Watch | Italy's PM Georgia Meloni announces separation from husband “I am afraid to think about losing something that is part of the city’s soul,” said Carlo Lucarelli, an author and screenwriter, while speaking to Corriere della Sera. “I’ve always taken the two towers for granted, but with affection, in the same way you might take the presence of a brother for granted,” Lucarelli added. Meanwhile, actor and film director Giorgio Diritti said, “I’m worried from many perspectives, especially the fact that this news has come as a surprise. But how can it be a surprise if the tower has been monitored for years?” Diritti said that, if the tower really collapsed someday, he would be ready to go there “to hold the tower up”. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Medieval 'leaning tower' in Italian city tilting too much, to remain closed for few years

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